Dave Warner clobbers 197 against Victoria

David Warner gave national selectors another compelling reason to stick with him for the first Test as he continued his rich vein of form with a record-breaking century to power NSW into the Ryobi Cup final.

After starting the one-day tournament in patchy form Warner pounded a match-winning 197 off only 141 balls on Thursday and, a month out from the Ashes, believes he is in the best form he has been in two years.

There's another one: Dave Warner thumps another delivery over the fence for six. Photo: Getty Images

The incumbent Test opener's third century in four innings came against a high quality Victorian attack containing internationals Peter Siddle, John Hastings and Fawad Ahmed, and was made in front of selection chairman John Inverarity.

"It's amazing how the table turns," Warner said.

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Even if Warner has to deliver more than others for a Test berth as a result of his tumultuous 2013 the left-hander could not have done more to impress Invervarity's selection panel in the second half of the domestic one-day tournament.

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Warner's brutal knock eclipsed the previous domestic one-day record of 187 set by Queensland's Jimmy Maher in 2004 and took his Ryobi Cup figures to 527 runs at an excellent 75.

His blistering innings was the main reason why it will be the Blues, and not the Bushrangers, taking on Queensland in Sunday's final after they overhauled Victoria's target of 322 with three balls to spare.

Warner's detractors will try to downplay the significance of the knock as it came on the flat North Sydney Oval and in the 50-over format but runs at this stage of the season in any game are an invaluable commodity for a batsman fighting for a Test berth.

And if one-day form is the reason why George Bailey is considered favourite for the No.6 position then equally Warner is well placed for the right to partner Chris Rogers at the Gabba.

Warner is confident he can translate his form into the four-day arena.

"You know your cues, my cues out there are being still and that's working for me now," Warner said.

"There's no reason why that can't work for me in the Test arena. We've got three Shield games coming up, hopefully I can keep repeating my efforts here and help NSW win those games."

Warner said his omission from series in India was a "blessing in disguise" as it took him away from the monotony of life on tour.

"I've been away for 36 months," Warner said.

"You don't get the luxury of being at home and doing little things like going to the beach, relaxing, walking the dog, or spending time with the girlfiend."

The left-hander was untroubled by Test teammate Siddle facing the new ball and also scored freely against the rest of the Bushrangers' attack, which could not find a way to contain him on the small ground until they had all but lost the game.

If not for a fine catch by Jon Holland a few feet from the rope at deep fine leg Warner, whose innings contained 20 boundaries and 10 sixes, would have become the first player to peel off a domestic one-day double century.

The Blues had been staring at a run chase in the vicinity of 400 after Dan Christian and Rob Quiney shared a blistering 202-run opening stand.

Christian, promoted to the role of opener, carved 117 off 90 balls while former Test No.3 Quiney made a polished 89 before the Blues fought back in the latter overs through rising stars Josh Hazlewood and Gurinder Sandhu.

Sandhu claimed 2-55 off 10 overs, which was exceptional in such a high-scoring game, and held on to a one-handed screamer well above his head to remove the dangerous David Hussey.

The Blues were in the box seat after an excellent partnership of 149 between Warner and Peter Nevill, who made 46.

Siddle, though wicketless, was the best of Victoria's bowlers, conceding 48 runs from his 10 overs while Dan Christian, with 1-38 from seven overs, was hard to score from due to his changes of pace.

Spinners Holland and Fawad claimed key wickets during the Blues' run chase but were no match for Warner.